A lot has been said about how LeBron James' son Bronny got into the NBA despite registering underwhelming numbers in his lone season at USC and showcasing modest performances at the NBA combine. Not long after the Los Angeles Lakers—the team LeBron plays for— picked the 6-foot-1 guard with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, allegations of nepotism and favoritism began to surface.
But for former NBA champion Vernon Maxwell , it's all just noise. In a recent interview on the podcast "Club 520," the controversial guard expressed his support for LeBron's decision to have his son join him in the league.
LeBron is running the league
"The King" has been running the league since he was drafted first in the much-celebrated 2003 NBA Draft. Even though he was only 18 at that time, James already possessed an incredible skill set and, most importantly, an NBA-ready physique that could withstand the league's physicality. However, the same can't be said of his 19-year-old son.
After returning from a congenital heart issue, Bronny played 25 games for the Trojans and averaged 4.8 points on 36 percent shooting, including 26 percent from beyond the arc. He also averaged 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per outing. Despite those meager numbers, the Lakers selected him in the second round and handed the young man a multi-year contract—a rarity for players selected in the second round.
These things weren't lost on "Mad Max," who relayed that he wasn't mad or surprised by the development.
"LeBron, kudos, man. You're a hell of a player, man. You got your son damn drafted. Sh**, that's weird," Maxwell told Jeff Teague and the rest of the crew at Club 520. "I mean, if I could do that sh**, LeBron, I would do it too. I ain't mad at you. Keep that sh** going, boy. What you're doing, you're running the damn league."
Related: "He was a killer like Luka Doncic" - Vernon Maxwell reminds everyone how unstoppable prime Drazen Petrovic was
Try to get his son in the NBA
Now that LeBron has laid the blueprint, Vernon said he will try to pull the same stunt with his son, Tristan, who last played for Hampton in the NCAA and averaged 6.3 points on 36 percent shooting, 2.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game last season. The 6-foot-2 guard played at Georgia Tech for three seasons before transferring to Hampton.
"I had to throw that sh** in there 'cause I got a son coming next year. Yeah, and I'm gonna put him in the goddamn combine. Yeah, average more than four points, and goddamn it, let's get him a shot at this sh**, 'cause let's see if we can get drafted No. 55," Maxwell said, tongue in cheek.
Bronny's entry into the NBA will be a point of contention for fans, experts, and players for a very long time. Regardless of how people feel about it, one thing is sure: Bronny's journey will be closely followed and analyzed by fans and media alike. Every move he makes on the court will be scrutinized, and every mistake magnified. It's a lot for any teenager to handle, especially when you have the weight of your father's legacy on your shoulders.
Related: “I love it” - Rasheed Wallace explains why he’s such a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Bronny James
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